Volume 1 Chapter 18
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
To efficiently carry out our activities on the island, we decided to split into 2 teams.
One team is me, Kashiro, and Mayuki.
The other team is Maid, the class rep, and Yodomizu.
We’ve asked the Maids to mainly focus on collecting magic items. With their deep knowledge of geography and Demonkind, along with Yodomizu, who’s great at taking down bosses, and the class rep, who can handle anything, I’m not too worried about them.
Our team’s goal is to search for the Ghost Knight and analyze its abilities using Kashiro’s magic. This time, we’ll just stick to reconnaissance, planning to take on the hunt with the full team later. If it still seems impossible, we’ll have to look for classmates who can help us out.
It would be best if we could find my friends or the class rep while searching for the Ghost Knight.
”Mayuki, sorry, but your top priority is to protect Kashiro.”
”I got it. No matter how much trouble Koushi is in, I won’t help.”
”Yeah, that’s the way.”
Right now, I have an ogre’s battle axe and the protection of my big sister. The chances of getting killed unfairly by magic are low.
In fact, the battles against Demonkind have been pretty stable. After getting an explanation from Kashiro, we’ve been approaching them and taking them down with almost one hit. For tricky opponents like the Man-Eating Tree with ten tentacles, I’ve been asking Mayuki for backup, but… I need to make sure I can take them down easily on my own eventually.
”Oh. Looks like someone was fighting around here.”
While exploring the forest, I found several Demonkind corpses lying around.
”…It was Kurokado who took them down. He seems to still be nearby.”
Kashiro shares the analysis results.
Kurokado Kagemasa. He’s a boy with long black hair tied back. He was a quiet guy, so I haven’t really talked to him much, but… he has a calm personality, so there’s no need to avoid him.
”Let’s meet up. Track him down.”
* * *
When I got to the black gate, there was another boy student next to him.
Amasato Suou. He was about the same short height as Yodomizu, but his personality was the complete opposite. A confident guy with brown hair, always wearing a relaxed smile. He was talkative and good at making friends; I had talked to him a few times.
He often hung out with Kurokado and another boy student, Niwashiro Toru, making them a trio.
”Amasato… did something happen?”
I was a bit surprised to see Amasato with a serious face since he always seemed to be chuckling in class.
”Hyakudou, actually I’m in a hurry… but let’s talk for a bit.”
Amasato smiled faintly. Kurokado didn’t even look at us, just closed his eyes and leaned against a tree. Something must have happened for sure.
”Did someone die over there?”
”I saw Eiichi’s body.”
”I see. We had one victim here too… Tooru is dead. Killed by Demonkind.”
Amasato said in a low voice, trying to hold back his emotions. Looking closely, Kurokado was gripping his fists tightly.
As I struggled to find the right words, Amasato quickly said,
”You guys are the third group we’ve met. First were the president and the others, then Akatsuka. If you go straight down this path, you should find them… I hope you make it in time.”
Akatsuka Jouya. One of my few friends.
”No. I’ll help you guys first. You want revenge, right?”
”I appreciate the thought, but I have to decline. This is our friend’s revenge; we need to handle it ourselves. Otherwise, it won’t settle down.”
His words were strong.
Kurokado seemed to feel the same way, remaining completely still.
”I see, got it. Sorry for holding you back. Go ahead.”
”Sorry. Let’s meet again when things calm down. If I can team up with Hyakudou, that would be reassuring for me too.”
As soon as we parted, the two of them disappeared from sight.
”Amasato has reflection magic, and Kurokado has acceleration magic… Also, he wasn’t lying.”
Kashiro calmly informed me.
I feel like I want to go help those 2, but I’d probably just get in the way. It’s not really my place to interfere, so I’ll hold back.
”Let’s go look for Akatsuka.”
Even as I start walking, I can’t shake thoughts of Amasato and the others from my mind.
They were determined, ready to risk everything. Their fierce desire for revenge, even if it meant dragging someone else down with them. I’d never seen them like that in class, and I didn’t know what to think.
What changed them was the death of their friend. Those 2 must really hate This Island, and they probably want to kill Demonkind.
But what about me?
I feel like I got caught up in something unreasonable, and I know I have to take down Demonkind. But compared to those 2, my feelings are pretty light.
For example, if Akatsuka had been killed by Demonkind, would I be able to get that angry?
”Koushi. There’s no point in rushing.”
Mayuki’s voice snaps me back to reality.
I realize I’ve been walking too fast, and Kashiro is a bit out of breath.
”Sorry. Should we head back to base and rest?”
”…I think that’s a good idea. Right now, Hyakudou doesn’t seem calm at all.”
It’s pointless to be shaken up over something that hasn’t even happened yet.
But it’s true that I haven’t been desperate enough. Since I’ve been living a safe and stable life, it felt like someone else’s problem. I hadn’t fully grasped that this is a killing Island.
Of course, losing friends is a possibility. I need to make sure I don’t forget that.
* * *
I decided to call the Maids back and have everyone carry a waist pouch and 2 healing potions. It’s quite a bit of expense for 6 people, but it’s necessary. I had given some to the class rep before splitting the team, but she might not always be available.
”I know this sounds cold, but you should get used to it.”
When I mention Amasato and the others, the Maid looks at me intently.
”Back in our time, only 3 of us made it to the end. Even after going to Another World, the fighting will probably continue… I’ll do my best, but I don’t think everyone here will survive.”
I think it’s a realistic thought. But I can’t seem to accept it.
”Honestly, I think I could go exploring by myself. It might be less efficient, but it’s better than risking my life.”
I said it seriously, but everyone looked at me like I was crazy.
”That’s not even a discussion. Do you really think we’re that unreliable?”
The class rep glared at me like I was in trouble.
”Everyone is worried, just like you. If we put it all on one person, it’ll just feel bad. I think working together will increase our chances of survival.”
Mayuki said that, trying to reason with me. Even though she usually acts silly, she always hits me with the truth at times like this.
”Sorry. I said something stupid. I got a bit naïve there.”
”Even Mr. Hyakudou can lose confidence sometimes, huh?”
Yodomizu probably thinks I’m a narcissist… Yeah, she probably does. I’m actually quite the worrywart and a sensitive person. I want some kind words to comfort me. And I wouldn’t mind some comfort down below too.
”Right now, Koushi had a face that looked like he was thinking the worst.”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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